September is Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM), and the Hoosier Lottery is proud to join the American Gaming Association in promoting gaming literacy, education, and positive play.

As part of this effort, it's important to understand why states regulate gambling and how that regulation helps create a safer experience for players.

Why Does the State Regulate Gambling?

The simple answer is that regulation helps protect players.

Legal, regulated gambling provides a structured framework with clear rules about how games are operated, how winners are paid, and how operators are held accountable. These regulations help ensure games are offered fairly and transparently while providing important consumer protections and age restrictions.

Without regulation, gambling activity can move into illegal or unregulated markets where oversight is limited or nonexistent. In these environments, players may be exposed to unfair practices, fraud, identity theft, or operators who fail to pay winnings as promised.

By regulating gambling, states create safeguards that help protect players while promoting a safer gaming environment for communities as a whole. Legal, regulated gambling helps ensure that players can enjoy games with confidence, knowing there are standards, oversight, and protections in place.

Supporting Indiana Communities

Regulated gambling can also provide benefits that extend beyond the individual player.
In Indiana, revenue generated by the Hoosier Lottery is returned to the state to benefit communities across Indiana. Lottery proceeds help fund the Teachers' Retirement Fund, local police and firefighters' pensions, and the Lottery Surplus Fund. Through the Lottery Surplus Fund, proceeds help offset the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax paid by Hoosiers when registering their vehicles, providing a statewide benefit to residents in all 92 counties.

The Hoosier Lottery’s success is shared with the communities we serve. Since 1989, we’ve given back $8.1 billion to good causes across the state.

Understanding why gambling is regulated is an important part of being an informed player. Regulation helps create a safer, more transparent gaming environment while supporting programs and services that benefit communities across Indiana.

The Importance of Responsible Gaming 

The Hoosier Lottery encourages you to learn more about our Positive Play program. At our Positive Play webpage, you'll find educational content and resources designed to help you make informed decisions and better understand how lottery games work.

Whether you're learning about common gambling myths, understanding how lottery games operate, or exploring resources that support positive play, increasing your knowledge can help you make informed choices and keep lottery play fun and entertaining.

Join Our Responsible Gaming Education Month Giveaway

This Responsible Gaming Education Month, the Hoosier Lottery is giving away five (5) Positive Play Prize Packs valued at more than $200 each!

To enter, follow the Hoosier Lottery on Facebook or Instagram. On September 7, 2026, we'll post our Responsible Gaming Education Month giveaway on both platforms. Simply click the link included in the post and complete the official entry form.

As part of your entry, you'll be asked to share what you've learned from our Positive Play Flip Tip cards, which can be found throughout the Hoosier Lottery website. Be sure to submit your completed form by September 14, 2026, to be eligible.

We hope you'll join us throughout September as we celebrate Responsible Gaming Education Month and continue building awareness around positive play, informed decision-making, and responsible gaming.